Former Chief of Army Staff donates 500-capacity female hostel to UNIBEN

Former Nigerian Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. TY Danjuma, has donated a 500-capacity female hostel to the University of Benin (UNIBEN) in the name of his wife, Daisy.

The inauguration of the hostel took place at the Ugbowo campus of the university. Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo, who attended the event, praised Danjuma’s philanthropy and commitment to uplifting the less privileged. Obaseki highlighted Danjuma’s concern for Nigerian youths, particularly in the field of education, as demonstrated by his provision of accommodation for female students.

Governor Obaseki also acknowledged Danjuma’s previous donations to Edo during the COVID-19 pandemic. He called on other individuals and private organisations to follow Danjuma’s example and support tertiary institutions by providing infrastructure to enhance teaching and learning. Obaseki mentioned that the state government had already supported the university in road construction.

Sen. Daisy Danjuma, for whom the hostel was named, expressed her joy about the project. She urged the students who would benefit from the accommodation to take responsibility for maintaining the facility. Sen. Danjuma highlighted the issue of maintenance culture as a challenge in infrastructure development in the country and encouraged the students to develop this important skill. She also urged the university students to engage in activities that would make the institution a role model for others.

Prof. Lilian Salami, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Benin, commended the donor’s gesture in addressing the shortage of hostel accommodation for students. She emphasised the critical nature of the accommodation challenge faced by the university and urged the students to make efficient use of the newly donated facility.

After the inauguration, Sen. Danjuma made an additional donation of another block of hostel for female students. The ceremony for this new project was carried out by the Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire.